Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Change Is Inevitable

My beloved Melia Santo Domingo is the latest establishment to endure the "improvement" phase happening throughout the colonial city. That was my hotel of choice before switching over to the Hotel Mercure Comercial with friends. Ah, the memories!

The new Starwood Hotels & Restaurants Worldwide hotel will reopen on Santo Domingo's Malecon seafront boulevard. The company says it is recognizing that Santo Domingo is a leading corporate destination. A US$6 million renovation is underway at the former Melia Santo Domingo, the Malecon-fronting property.
The premises will include the first Starbucks in the Dominican Republic. 24-hour dining will be available at the Cafe Casabe. While primarily targeting the business traveler, the hotel will also offer programs with the Westin beach hotel at Playa Blanca and Four Points Starwood hotel in Punta Cana Village, making it possible to combine city with beach and golf activities.
The Santo Domingo hotel will offer all the familiar Sheraton services, including high-speed Internet in all rooms. Likewise, as part of the standards that come with the brand, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds will be included and are specially designed to meet the 5 Diamond Stars of the AAA.
Meeting space is being doubled, an additional 10,000 square feet is being added at the Sheraton Malecon Terrace.
Also coming is Sheraton Fitness operated by Core Performance with state-of-the-art fitness programs because the chain believes that travel and fitness go hand in hand.
General manager Dwight Tabales says they are working for the hotel to become the best business hotel in the city.
The Sheraton has a history on the same location. Some 35 years ago it originally opened as a Sheraton. Now the hotel owner company, Hoteles Nacionales is proud to make the investment with Starwood Hotels to bring the iconic brand back to the city. The franchise has been secured for another 15 years.

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